Transcript
Aquaculture Development in
Fiji Islands
Presentation during the ACP Ministers Responsible for Fisheries & Aquaculture 18-21 September 2017
Nassau Bahamas
World Map Location
The Fiji Islands
• Identified by the govt. as one of the key sectors for further development
• Very important in terms of export earning – pearl farming, seaweed farming
• Vital for food security, esp. for rural inland communities – tilapia and carp farming
• Crucial for improving livelihoods, generating income and import substitution – shrimp and prawn farming
• Restocking - giant clams & sandfish
• Adaptation to climate change
Aquaculture Program
Aquaculture Program
• Highly diverse aquaculture sector in terms of farmed aquatic species and farming systems.
• Strong impact on food and nutrition security and improved livelihoods.
• Growing sector.
• Strong interest from National and Foreign investors.
• Theoretical high aquatic animal health status.
Background
• Started in early 1950’s with the culture of Tilapia (mossambicus) to be used as livestock feed
• In 1974, Niloticus Tilapia introduced from Israel to culture into ponds at Raviravi
• 1975 grass carps were introduced to be used as biological weed control in river systems. Successful carp breeding program was carried out between 1984 – 1989 with assistance from JICA
• Introduction of seaweed from Philippines in 1976
• Pearl farming trialed in mid 1960’s, CDF program est. in 1998 and fully established farm by 2000 and est. industry now
• 1980 saw the introduction of giant river prawn (M. rosenbergii) from Hawaii and was successfully spawned
• 1997 was when the GIFT tilapia introduced
• 2008 when GFP Vietnamese strain was introduced, 2013 P.vannamei introduced
Mari-culture
• Pearl industry well established – key export commodity of about 15-20 million dollars. World famous J.Hunter pearls.
• Supported by 8 farmers and over 30 spat collection sites - village based program.
• Seaweed farming consists of mainly communities along maritime islands in the Western and Eastern parts.
• Giant clam is bred at Makogai for re-stocking purposes.
• Live rock and coral culture done by private sector.
• Government support - seed supply, research, training & FD activities
• Supports livelihood and import subs. Initiative by govt.
• Target species is white-legged shrimp or Litopenaeus vannamei, introduced from Thailand.
• Local species – P. monodon • Sandfish (Holothuria scabra) breeding
program • Private sector involvement in shrimp and
some crab farming • Community level milkfish farming
Brackishwater Aquaculture Program
Freshwater Aquaculture Program
• Government Support – seed supply, research, training & FD activities
• Supports food security, livelihood and
import subs. Initiative by govt. • Consists of about 500 Tilapia and prawn
farmers • Breeding program involves GIFT tilapia,
giant freshwater prawn, carps & ornamental fish
Recent Key Developments
• Aquaculture Bill 2016 – scheduled for 3rd hearing in Parliament. First ever legislative framework for the regulation of aquaculture and related activities.
• National Fisheries Policy (Draft) – guideline to fisheries development and management, highlighting the major areas where the government sees opportunities for growth.
• Fiji Aquaculture strategy (Draft) - a road map for the Ministry of Fisheries, aquaculture farmers, private-sector investors, development partners, funding agencies, and other stakeholders to help them identify the best types of interventions and investments to pursue in aquaculture.
• National Aquatic Animal Health Strategy (NAAHS) being developed in conjunction with FAO. National Workshop was convened on 24-27 January 2017.
CHALLENGES
• Recognition/visibility – traditionally dependent on capture fisheries
• Aging infrastructures • Natural Disasters like floods/cyclones – Climate Change • Lack of secure bankable property rights in marine
environment – difficult to secure loans • Lack of sufficient trained personnel/hatchery
operators/nutritionists/farm manager
• High cost of imported feed • Rising cost of locally made feed • Long distance to key export markets • transportation is a problem (high costs), esp. from
outer/maritime islands • Security of tenure, esp. wet leases • Aquatic Biosecurity – TAAD’s, imports, etc
CHALLENGES
Regional Perspectives
• Aquaculture development in the Pacific has been slower then other regions, hence production comparatively small
• Pearl farming is well established – Tahiti, Cook Islands and Fiji
• Some countries are challenged by availability of resources – water, land, etc
• Most challenges mentioned are similar, if not same, to Fiji.
Way Forward
• Capacity building – training (technical & financial) • Conducive environment for investors – legislation, bank loans,
infrastructure, etc • Industry/sector development plans • Encourage private sector involvement, in aquaculture activities • Developing species with potential – Marine finfishes • Identification of new species for culturing and new methods
(cage culture) • Responsible management of aquatic biodiversity: use, access,
exchange, improvement and conservation. • Effective policies and plans. • Better information, including characterization of aquatic
resources at different levels.
Vinaka. That’s Fijian for Thank you
top related